Form support



E. M. KLAUS FORM SUPPORT March 6, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 9, 1957 Z/Mfgf a March 6, 1962 us 3,023,863

FORM SUPPORT Filed Sept. 9, 195'? 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 6, 1962 E. M. KLAUS 3,023,363

FORM SUPPORT Filed Sept. 9, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 March 6, M

FORM SUPPORT Filed Sept. 9, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VFA/IUP MAM! 4441/5 E. M. KLAUS FORM SUPPORT March 6, 1962 5 SheetsSheet 5 Filed Sept. 9, 1957 3,023,863 FORM SUPPORT Ernst Mathias Klaus, Himmelgeisterstr. 35, Dusseldorf, Germany Filed Sept. 9, 1957, Ser. No. 682,951 Claims priority, application Germany Sept. 10, 1956 12 Claims. (Cl. 189-37) The present invention relates to a form support composed of a plurality of girder members which are slidab-le within each other and are foldable relative to each other so that they can be lowered and which are designed in a box-like or flat manner and can be interlocked while the outer girder member in which the inner girder member is movable is open at the bottom. Generally two embodiments of form supports of this type are known. According to one of said known embodiments, the outer girder member has a rectangular box-shaped cross section of the ordinary lattice girder type with inclined ends as described for instance in US. Patents Nos. 1,651,032, 1,899,344, 1,964,208, and 2,626,688. With this embodiment, the inner girder members can be moved into the outer girder members from one side only or from both sides, and the inner girder members are designed as vertical structural irons with a hood-like profiled reinforcement at the upper edge thereof. The outer girder member is open at the bottom but its lower chords are at both ends rigidly connected with each other by fixedly mounted bend-resistant bridge members so that the outer girder at those end portions has a closed cross section. The bridge members are provided with threaded bores engaged by threaded bolts for locking the inner girder with regard to the upper chord of the outer girder. A similar way of interlocking the extensible girders to each other is known with girders in which the outer girder has a fixed bottom. The arrangement of fixed bridges or webs alone, i.e. without locking means is also known with self-locking girders for preventing the inner girder from being pulled out.

According to the second embodiment refened to in the introductory portion of this specification, the outer girder likewise represents a lattice girder with a rectangular cross section open at the bottom in which an inner girder is displaceably arranged. In contrast to the first mentioned embodiment, however, the outer girder is completely open at the bottom and the required abutment for the locking means in order to lock the inner girder against the outer girder are designed as loose individual elements which have to be inserted individually in a certain succession when the form support is being installed. This arrangement comprises a plate which serves as bridge member and which is to be connected to the legs of the outer girder by means of a separate bolt which is passed through openings and ears. A likewise loose wedge then together with an auxiliary element brings about the interlocking of the inner and outer girders.

The form supports of the above mentioned known type have the advantage that they can be folded so as to be lowered whereby the stripping of the form support is considerably facilitated. The first mentioned embodiment, however, has the drawback that the inner girder member cannot be removed downwardly from the outer girder member Without prior to the initiation of the actual removal operation carrying out a relative movement of the girder members with regard to each other. This is due to the fiXed bridges and screws.

While the second embodiment allows a removal of the inner girder from the outer girder without a relative movement of these girders prior to the initiation of the actual removal operation, it has the great drawback that a number of loose individual parts are employed and have to be individually withdrawn before the dismantling or the removal of the inner girder from the outer girder can be effected. Thus, the first mentioned embodiment makes it necessary to strip the form support as a unit which means that the outer and inner girder members have to be removed together as a unit. Inasmuch as this work is to be carried out by hand, considerable weights are to be handled by the construction workers which has a harmful effect on the cost of labor and the time involved while at the same time bringing about the danger of accidents. With the last mentioned embodiment, the stripping as a unit would not be necessary, but the dismantling of the numerous individual parts causes so much time and effort that it is preferred to dismantle the outer and the inner girders as a unit.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a girder of the above mentioned general type which will overcome the drawbacks encountered with the heretofore known girder constructions with removable inner girder.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved form support with an outer girder open at the bottom and at least one inner girder movable in the latter and removable therefrom downwardly, in which the locking means for interlocking the girders are non detachably connected thereto.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a form support of the type set forth in the preceding paragraph, in which the locking members will be free from threaded spindles and the like.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the following specification in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a side view of an outer girder member according to the invention.

FIG. 2 represents a cross section along the line II--II of the girder of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross section of a girder somewhat modified over that of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates a side view of an inner girder member according to the invention with a wedge pertaining thereto.

FIG. 5 is a cross section along the line VV of the girder according to FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross section of an inner girder somewhat modified over that of FIG. 4. 1

FIG. 7 shows the movable wedge of FIG. 4 in side view and on a larger scale than that employed in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a cross section through the wedge of FIG. 7 with the lower portion of the inner girder shown in end view.

FIG. 9 diagrammatically illustrates a side view of a bridge member forming part of the girder construction according to the invention and also shows partly in section the lower end of the legs of the outer girder member.

FIG. is a top view of the bridge member of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic representation of the assembled girder construction with the outer and inner girders of FIGS. 1 and 4, said girders being pulled apart.

FIG. 12 shows a girder construction according to the invention with the locking mechanism in open condition for removing the inner girder member during the stripping operation.

FIG. 13 illustrates a modified girder construction according to the invention.

FIG. 14 is an end view of the girder construction of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a further modification of a. girder construction according to the invention.

FIG. 16 is an end view of the girder construction according to FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a modified outer girder according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an end view of the outer girder of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a side view of a still further modification of an outer girder according to the invention.

FIG. 20 is a vertical section through FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 shows a section through the lower chord of one side of the outer girder with the bridge member hanging downwardly in fully opened position.

FIG. 22 shows a section through the lower portion of the outer girder of FIG. 20 with a bridge member slightly modified over that of FIG. 21 and engaged by a cooperating wedge.

FIG. 23 shows a section through the lower portion of a modified outer girder engaged by a modified bridge member in closing position.

FIG. 24 illustrates, partly in section, still. another guiding arrangement for the bridge-wedge connection at the lower chord of the outer girder.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of still another outer girder according to: the invention.

FIG. 26 is an end view of the girder of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 shows one end of the inner girder of FIG. 4 but on a larger scale than the latter.

FIG. 28 is a vertical section through the inner girder of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 shows the lower portion of FIG. 28 on a scale larger than that of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 illustrates a modified bridge member in cooperation with an outer girder.

FIG. 31 shows still another modified bridge member in cooperation with an outer girder.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a portion of an outer girder with another modified bridge member.

FIG. 33 is a section through the arrangement of FIG. 32 along a plane passing through the connection of the struts of the outer girder with the lower chords of said outer girder.

FIG. 34 represents a slight modification over the structure of FIG. 33.

General Arrangement The girder construction according to the present invention is characterized primarily in that each girder member displaceable Within the outer girder member is provided with a non-detachable wedge movable over the entire length of the inner girder member or rests upon such wedge which is movable over the entire length of the outer girder member. In this way, the means for interlocking the outer and inner girders are permanently connected to the girder construction.

In order to allow the inner girder to be removed downwardly from the outer girder practically parallel thereto, is. without major folding and without having to move the inner girder along its entire length, according to the present invention the free legs of the outer girder member are interconnected by bend-resistant bridge members. These bridge members are non-detachably connected to the girder construction and, if desired, may be displaceable relative thereto and movable downwardly for completely opening the girder profile. The said bridges also serve as support of the wedge carried by the inner girder or resting thereagainst.

The invention is furthermore characterized in that any deformation of the legs of the outer girder especially the lower chords thereof will be prevented which is particularly favorable when transporting the girder construction. More specifically, the bridges interconnect the lower chords of the outer girder and at their ends are provided with fork-shaped portions for receiving a protrusion of the outer girder.

In conformity with a further development of the invention, for assuring a favorable guiding of the bridge memher on the outer girder, the inner side of the lower chords of the outer girder are provided with groove-like protrusions engaged from above by correspondingly-shaped edge portions of the bridge member. This arrangement makes it possible to lock the Wedge bridge locking system at any desired point along the length of the outer girder by simple hammer blows.

In conformity with a further development of the invention, the wedge is movably but non-detachably mounted on the bridge which is movable over the entire length of the outer girder.

In conformity with another embodiment of the invention, the wedge and bridge members form a unit and may, for instance be forged as a single steel piece. It with this construction in conformity with the invention the inner girder has its lower side entirely or partly tapered, which may be eifected in an analogous manner and as an alternative with the outer girder, the great advantage is obtained that the lever arm between that end of the outer girder from which the inner girder protrudes and the point of attack of the locking connection may be selected particularly long whereby the respective moment will be reduced so that higher loads can be supported.

Structural Arrangement Referring now to the drawings in detail, the form support shown therein primarily comprises an outer girder generally designated 1 and an inner girder generally designated 2. If desired, one inner girder 2 each, may be placed from each end into the outer girder 1 so that the total support would be a three-part support. There exists the further possibility to connect to each end of an inner girder 2 an outer girder '1 which on its other end again carries an inner girder so that multiple form supports will be formed with wide span. The outer girder consists for instance of a U-shaped upper chord 3 each end of which has connected thereto in a downwardly extending manner a strut structure of round section iron, said strut structure being composed of lower chords 4, 4', the inclined struts 5 and the vertical struts 6. One end of the outer girder 1 is provided with a bearing plate 7 connected to the upper chord '3'. The inner girder 2 has a portion 8 formed of triangular-shaped section iron with the ridge 51 of the triangular section portion 8 directed downwardly. A longitudinal girder iron 9 is flanged into the ridge 51 of the portion 3. The sectional portion 8 is adapted by means of that of its wide sides which is located opposite the ridge 51 to slide in the interior of the upper chord 3 and to rest thereon. Each side of the triangular-shaped sectional portion 8 has a rolled-in longitudinal groove 10 for purposes of stiffening the member 8.

The lower edge of the longitudinal girder iron 9 is reinforced over its entire length by one or two round profiled rods or rails 11 in conformity with the heretofore known structure as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 1,65 1,- 032. In this instance the profiled rods 11, however, serve as sliding rails for the wedge 12 which has its upper surface rolled in form of a trough and which embraces the rails 11 with play by means of cars 13 so that the wedge 12 cannot be detached downwardly. One end of the inner girder 2 is provided with a bearing plate 14. The girder 2 may at the same end additionally be provided with a stud (not shown in the drawings) for lifting the bearing plate 14 out of the masonry work. This stud may, for instance, form a continuation of the end face of the girder 2 in downward direction in order to obtain a larger lever arm. This will also have the advantage that the main elements 1 and 2 of the form support which are slidable one within the other can with their hearing plates 7 and 14 be withdrawn from the masonry upon which they rest. Thus, the entire girder will when being stripped and when a certain tilting angle has been obtained drop by itself or can particularly easily be withdrawn by the workers carrying out the stripping or dismantling operation. The displacement of the wedge 12 can at both ends of the rails 11 be limited by a simple abutment (not shown in the drawings) so that the wedge 12 cannot be lost. If desired, also a movable latch 119 (see FIGS. 4, 27 and 29) may be provided which has a nose adapted to move in front of the tongue 13 of the wedge 12 when the latter is in its locking position, whereby a withdrawal of the Wedge '12 is prevented. At each end surface of the inner girder 2 there is provided a closure sheet metal member 15 of narrow pointed shape.

The arrangement according to the invention also comprises a bridge 16 (FIG. 9) which is preferably die forged and has the central portionof its upper side provided with a groove 17 having a wedge-shaped base surface. When the bridge is in its closed position as shown in FIG. 9, the lower wedge-shaped surface of the wedge 12 runs up into the groove 17 so that a force will act upon the inner girder Z in upward direction and lock the inner girder 2 against the interior of the upper chord 3. This arrangement of the groove 17 will at the same time bring about that the locking can be effected only when the inner girder 2 with the wedge 12 is located precisely in the central plane of the outer girder 1.

The thicker end (the right-hand end in FIG. 9) of the bridge member 16 is provided with a longitudinal slot 18 which has been bored transverse into the bridge end. It is by means of this longitudinal slot 18 that the bridge member 16 is suspended on the lower chord 4' of the outer girder 1. When producing the girder, a section of said slot is opened for purposes of suspension and subsequently is closed again by welding so that the bridge member 16 can be tilted but is non-detachably connected to the lower chord. The other end of the bridge member 16 is fianged and by means of a nose 19 extends beyond the second lower chord 4 of the outer girder 1. In this way, and due to the fact that the slot 18 in the closing position of bridge member 16 has its outer curvature in engagement with the lower chord *4, the bridge member 16 cannot be displaced in this position in a direction transverse to the outer girder 1. In order to prevent also the legs of the outer girder 1 with the lower chords 4 and 4 from being displaced in transverse direction when the bridge member 16 is in its closure position, and thereby to prevent a bending of the struts 5 and 6, the bridge member 16 has that end thereof which is remote from the slot 18 designed in a fork-shaped manner so as to straddle a strut 6 by means of its prongs 20. Thus the strut 6 is safely held against displacement in the direction toward the interior of the outer girder 1. For the same purpose with regard to the opposite strut 6 there is employed a wedge 21. This wedge is fixedly mounted on a sleeve 22 slidably arranged on strut 6', said sleeve being mounted within the outer girder profile. The wedge 21 rests in a longitudinal milled-out portion 23 in the thicker end of the bridge member 16. The said milled-out portion 23 is vertically milled into the bridge member 16 and crosses with the longitudinal slot 18 while having the same length as said slot 18. The opening 23 also surrounds the strut 6 mounted on the lower chord 4'. When the wedge 21 is in its closing position, the bridge member 16 is completely rigid and non-displaceably connected to the lower chord 4 and the strut 6 so that this end of the outer girder 1 as well as the other side thereof due to the prongs 20 are secured against any movement which could bring about a change in the cross section of the outer girder.

FIG. 11 illustrates how the inner girder 2 by means ofthe wedge 12 keyed to the bridge member 16' is firmly locked in its position with regard to the outer girder 1. This connection is effected by hammer blows upon the flanged handle-like end 12 of the wedge 12. In order to unlock this connection, corresponding hammer blows are directed against the other side of the wedge handle 12' (see FIG. 7) so that the wedge will gradually loosen and the connection will be unlocked as a result of which a gradual lowering of the form support will be effected. It has been ascertained by experience that this lowering by loosening the wedge can be effected without shocks and by smallest amounts. It is of particular advantage in this connection that the. wedge 12 can be completely removed from its bearing in the bridge member 16 where- 'by the inner girder 2 can likewise be lowered directly upon the bridge member 16 for instance in order to carry out corrections with regard to the form board, so that the entire girder can be folded up. With heretofore known form supports, the tip of the wedge even in completely loosened condition always remains between its bearing and the inner girder since it is prevented by abutments from dropping out. Due to the fact that the wedge 12 according to the present invention can be completely withdrawn, its taper is particularly small inasmuch as the taper can extend up to its point, whereas with the heretofore known constructions the taper starts only behind the tip which remains between the bearing and the girder.

A further advantage of the arrangement according to the present invention results from the fact that the bridge member 16 does for all practical purposes not have to protrude beyond the lower chords 4 and 4' of the outer girder 1. After the wedge 12 has been loosened, also the wedge 21 is moved upwardly so that the bridge membe 16 can be lifted over the lower chord 4 and while at the same time being moved with the slot 18 over the chord 4' is shortened to such an extent that it can be folded downwardly. In this way the outer girder 1 is completely opened downwardly, and the inner girder 2 is folded further with regard to the outer girder 1 and is withdrawn downwardly from the outer girder in a very simple manner.

Depending on the span to be obtained, for purposes of effecting further form work, the inner girder 2 is pulled outwardly in a correspondingly manner and the wedge 12 is moved on the rails 11 up to the bridge member 16 and is locked in this position. When the girder is to be transported, it is locked with the girder members completely moved one into the other.

With the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the lower chords of the outer girder 1a are formed by trough profiles 24 which are open toward the top and which protrude inwardly. The bridge member "16a is in this instance shaped like a pan and provided with flanges as shown in FIG. 14 but has no bores whatsoever. It rests in a movable manner with a wedge-shaped groove and undercut rims 26 upon the wedge 12a but is non-detachable therefrom in view of the pin 25. The wedge 12a is shaped in conformity with the groove of the bridge member 16a. The bridge member 16a, with the wedge 12a carried thereby thus is movable along the rail 11 of the inner girder 2. For purposes of interlocking the elements of the girder, the wedge 12a is moved to a desired place within the outer girder 1 while the outer downturned tips of the bridge member 16a moves in the grooves 24. Thereupon the wedge 12a is adjusted inwardly first by hand and then by hammer blows whereby the bridge member 16a is pressed downwardly into the grooves 24 while the inner girder 2 is pressed upwardly against the outer girder 1. The inertia of the bridge member and its frictional engagement with the girder 1 will cause the hammer blows to drive the wedge 12a into wedging position. Also the bridge member can be held in place by hand or by clamping during hammering. The selective determination of the locking position yields particular static advantages.

With the embodiment according to FIGS. and 16. the outer girder 27 is a solid girder having the ends of its arms bent in a groove-like manner toward the inside. The inner girder 28 is in a manner known per se provided with a triangular cross section and at the bottom thereof carries a rail 11b which has a section 29 forming an angle with the entire lower edge of the inner girder 28. Wedge and bridge member are in this embodiment combined to a single structural member 30 which when carrying out a forming operation is displaced along the rail 111': until it moves upon the section 29. During this operation, the downwardly flanged marginal portions of the bridge-like extensions of the slide 30 engage the grooves of the outer girder 27 and bring about an interlocking in the manner described above. With this embodiment, the torque brought about by the load will be the less, the shorter the span has been selected, whereas with the embodiment according to FIG. 13, the torque can be selected at random when short spans are involved.

According to a further embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, wedge-shaped ends of the bridge member 12d engage correspondingly shaped wedge-shaped grooves in the lower chords of the outer girder 1d so that the bridge-wedge connection is displaceable at least over a portion of the length of the outer girder. In contrast to the embodiments described above, with the arrangement of FIGS. 17 and 18, the bridgewedge connection is not non-detachably connected to the inner girder but instead is non-detachably connected to the outer girder. The wedge is displaceable but non-detachably arranged on the bridge member as is clearly evident from FIGS. 17 and 18.

The problem underlying the present invention may also be solved in a different way while resorting to the principle of the invention as set forth above. More specifically, with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20, the outer girder 1e may consist of a sheet metal box which is open at the bottom. The legs of outer girder 1e, however, are not bent inwardly at their bottom portions but are cut ofi? straight and are provided with round sectional irons L, 4e extending over the entire length of the outer girder 12. These round sectional irons thus form rails similar to the rails 11 of FIG. 6. With this embodiment the inner girder has no guiding rail but has its lower edge provided merely with a surface along which the wedge 12e rests or by means of which the inner girder 2e rests upon the wedge.

In order to assure that the bridge-wedge connection will be able non-detachably to slide over a portion of the length of the outer girder, the lower end of the legs are, in conformity with the present invention provided with longitudinal slots 101 so that in closed condition, the

bridge ends can unimpededly rest on the lower chords L and 4'e.

One end of the bridge member 16a has a jaw-like design and embraces one rail L of the outer girder 1e in a manner somewhat similar to that in which wedge 12 of FIG. 8 by means of its member 13 embraces the rails 11, however, with lateral play.

For purposes of displacing the bridge-wedge connection, it is necessary to be able to fold bridge member 16c downwardly so that the slot in the longitudinal eye of the bridge member 16c will be able to embrace rail L with play on the left and right sides thereof.

It may be added that the longitudinal slots or openings 101 are cut into the respective leg of the outer girder 1e at certain intervals directly above the rail L. These openings 101 are of such dimensions that each jaw 116 or the bridge member 16@ can extend through the opening 101 when the bridge member 16:: is laterally displaced and lowered for purposes of folding the same. The other end 117 of the bridge member may, for instance, in form of a flange according to FIG. 14, engage a corresponding slot 118 at the lower end of the other leg of the outer girder 1e. The wedge is adapted to be knocked by hammer blows into its respective position when the bridge member together with said wedge has been moved into the desired position.

The bridge member 16:: may be displaced when in folded-down condition as shown in FIG. 21.

The slot enabling the displacement of the bridge member in an outer girder of box shape open at the bottom, does not necessarily have to be arranged on the outside of the longitudinal eye of the bridge member but, as illustrated in FIG. 22 may also be arranged at the upper end of the longitudinal eye of the bridge member 16ee. In such an instance, following a lateral displacement of bridge member 16ee, it would be possible subsequently to displace the bridge member in the longitudinal direction of the outer girder without any material folding down movement of the bridge member.

It is also possible, in conformity with the present invention, that the ends of the bridge member extend around the lower chords 241 of the outer girder 1 from below as shown in FIG. 23. In this instance, the lower chords 24 have their grooves 24f engaged by the ends of the bridge member 16 from above as is also clearly shown in FIG. 23.

If desired, the wedge member 12g may be movably but non-detachably connected to the bridge member 16g which latter by means of dovetail portions 117 (one only being shown), is movable over the entire length of the lower chords of the outer girder. The lower chords of the outer girder 1g are, of course, provided with cone spondingly dovetail-shaped grooves engaging with play the dovetail portions 117. This will be seen in FIGURE 24'.

Whereas FIG. 15 shows the lower edge of the inner girder, at least over a portion of its length, designed in a wedge-shaped manner as at 110, while FIG. 25 shows the outer girder 2711 at least over a portion thereof designed in a wedge-shaped manner, as at 24a, in order to allow the bridge-wedge 16b to be knocked into a tight position, said bridge-wedge preferably being forged of a single piece. The bridge-wedge has a groove-like upstanding portion 16b adapted for slidably engaging the lower edge of the inner girder.

In order to prevent accidental detachment of wedge 12 from the lower chords 11 of the inner girder 2, according to the present invention, and as shown in FIGS. 27 to 29, a latch 119 is provided which is moved into latching position by knocking the same in the direction toward the lower chord 11 thereby preventing the wedge with its guiding jaws from sliding beyond the end of the chord 11. If, for some reason, the wedge is to be removed, latch 11$ is knocked in the direction toward the upper chord thereby allowing the removal of the wedge from the inner girder.

FIG. 30 shows a further modification of the invention inasmuch as according to this figure the bridge ends 121 of bridge 121' are so designed that they embrace with play the lower chords of the outer girder. The reverse arrangement is shown in FIG. 31 according to which the lower chords 121 of the outer girder embrace the bridge ends 123 with play from above.

FIG. 32 shows still another embodiment of the bridge which may also be employed for preventing the lower chords 4n of the outer girder from being pressed toward or pulley away from each other during the transport of the girder. As will be seen from FIG. 32, the bridge member has a tubular section 124 by means of which it is longitudinally displaceably suspended on the lower 9 chord 4n, whereas the other end of the bridge member has a trough-shaped end corresponding to the shape of the lower chord 4n, by means of which it engages a sleeve 125 connected to the lower chord 4n as is clearly shown in FIG. 33. The operation of this connection will also be evident from FIG. 33. This bridge member may be employed for support of the wedge if said bridge member has the shape of bridge member 16r shown in FIG. 34.

It is, of course, to be understood that the present invention is, by no means, limited to the particular constructions shown in the drawings but also comprises any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a form support; outer girder means having an inverted U shape in cross section so as to have depending legs, inner girder means being inserted in said outer girder means from below so as to be embraced by the legs of said outer girder means, said outer and inner girder means being relatively moveable longitudinally, and means for locking said inner and outer girder means together in longitudinally adjusted positions comprising bridge means bridging the lower ends of the legs of said outer girder means beneath the bottom of said inner girder means, and wedge means adapted for being driven in the longitudinal direction in between said bridge means and the bottom of said inner girder means to eliect the said locking together of said inner and outer girder means, said wedge means and bridge means being separa ble, and said bridge means being moveable in a lateral plane from a position bridging the legs of said outer girder means into position to open the space between said legs to permit said inner girder means to be placed in or removed from said outer girder means.

2. In a form support; outer girder means having an inverted U shape in cross section so as to have depending legs, inner girder means being inserted in said outer girder means from below so as to be embraced by the legs of said outer girder means, said outer and inner girder means being relatively movable longitudinally, and means for locking said inner and outer girder means together in longitudinally adjusted positions comprising bridge means bridging the lower ends of the legs of said outer girder means beneath the bottom of said inner girder means, and wedge means adapted for being driven in the longitudinal direction in between said bridge means and the bottom of said inner girder means to effect the said locking together of said inner and outer girder means, said wedge means and bridge means being separable, and said bridge means being movable in a lateral plane from a position bridging the legs of said outer girder means into position to open the space between said legs to permit said inner girder means to be placed in or removed from said outer girder means, said bridge means at least partially embracing said legs when in bridging position to prevent said legs from moving laterally relative to each other.

3. A form support comprising: outer channel-shaped girder means of substantially U-shaped cross section with the legs of said U-shaped cross section and thereby the legs of said outer girder means extending downwardly so that said outer girder means are open at the bottom portion thereof, lower chords respectively connected to the lower edges of the legs of said outer girder means and extending in the longitudinal direction of said outer girder means, inner girder means telescopically displaceable in said outer girder means and removable therefrom through said open bottom portion of said outer girder means, and locking means for interlocking said outer and inner girder means in any desired relative longitudinal position thereof, said locking means including a first locking member in form of a wedge member carried by said inner girder means, said locking means also including a second locking member in form of a bridge member bridging the lower ends of the legs of said outer girder means, said bridge member having a slot extending in V V 16 v V longitudinal direction thereof and adjacent one end of said bridge member while being passed through by one of said chords, Said bridge member also comprising an inclined surface for cooperation with said Wedge member, the arrangement being such that in closing position the outermost portion of said slot substantially engages the adjacent surface of the adjacent chord, said bridge member being selectively rotatable about said one of said chords into closing position for preventing the removal of said inner girder means through the open bottom portion of said outer girder means or into an open position for allowing the removal of the inner girder means through the open bottom portion of said outer girder means, said bridge member being non-detachably connected to said outer girder means.

4. A form support comprising: outer channel-shaped girder means of substantially U-shaped cross section with the legs of said U-shaped cross section and thereby the legs of said outer girder means extending downwardly so that said outer girder means are open at the bottom portion thereof, lower chords respectively connected to the lower edges of the legs of said outer girder means and extending in the longitudinal direction of said outer girder means, inner girder means telescopically displaceable in said outer girder means and removable therefrom through said open bottom portion of said outer girder means, and locking means for interlocking said outer and inner girder means in any desired relative longitudinal position thereof, said locking means including a first locking member in form of a wedge member carried by said inner girder means, said locking means also including a bridge member supported at one end portion on one of said lower chords and rotatable thereon selectively into closing position for preventing the removal of said inner girder means through the open bottom portion of said outer girder means or into open position for allowing the removal of the inner girder means through the open bottom portion of said outer girder means, said bridge member having a surface for cooperation with said wedge member, said means rotatably supporting the bridge member on said one lower chord comprising a slotarranged in said one end portion of said bridge member and extending in the longitudinal direction of the latter, said bridge member, having its other end portion provided with a nose extending partially around the other lower chord when said bridge member is in its closing position to thereby prevent an increase in the spacing of said two lower chords, said bridge member being non-detachably movable on said one of said lower chords and relative to said first locking member.

5. A form support comprising: outer channel-shaped girder means of substantially U-shaped cross section with the legs of said U-shaped cross section and thereby the legs of said outer girder means extending downwardly so that said outer girder means are open at the bottom portion thereof, said outer girder means being provided with struts, lower chords respectively connected to the lower ends of the struts of said outer girder means and extending in the longitudinal direction of said outer girder means, inner girder means telescopically displaceable in said outer girder means and removable therefrom through said open bottom portion of said outer girder means, and locking means for interlocking said outer and inner girder means in any desired relative longitudinal position thereof, said locking means including a first locking member in form of a wedge member carried by said inner girder means, said locking means also includinga bridge member rotatably carried by one of said chords and rotatable thereon selectively into engagement with the other chord into closing position for preventing the removal of said inner girder means through the open bottom portion of said girder means or away from said other chord into open position for allowing the removal of the inner girder means through the open bottom portion of said outer girder, said bridge aoaases member having a surface for cooperation with said wedge member, said bridge member having a slot arranged in one end portion and extending in the longitudinal direction of the bridge member through which said one chord extends, said bridge member having its other end portion provided with a fork for straddling a strut that connects with the other chord, said bridge member being non-detachably rotatable on said one of said chords.

6. A form support comprising: outer channel-shaped girder means of substantially U-shaped cross section with the legs of said U-shaped cross section and thereby the legs of said outer girder means extending downwardly so that said outer girder means are open at the bottom portion thereof, inner girder means telescopically displaceable in said outer girder means and removable therefrom through said open bottom portion of said outer girder means, said inner girder means comprising an upper portion of triangular cross section with one ridge of said upper portion pointing downwardly, each side of the triangle of the triangular cross section of said upper portion having a groove therein, a longitudinal plate connected along a longitudinal edge thereof to said one ridge and extending downwardly therefrom, rail means connected to the lower longitudinal edge of said plate and forming a lower chord of said inner girder means, and locking means for interlocking said outer and inner girder means in any desired relative longitudinal position thereof, said locking means including a first locking member in form of a wedge member slidably movable on said rail means, said locking means also including a second locking member in form of a bridge member bridging the lower ends of the legs of said outer girder means and having a surface portion for cooperation with said first locking member, said bridge member being selectively rotatable on one of the legs of the outer girder means into said bridging position for preventing the removal of said inner girder means through the open bottom portion of said outer girder means or into an open position for allowing the removal of the inner girder means through the open bottom portion of said outer girder means, said bridge member being non-detachably connected to said outer girder means.

7. A form support according to claim 6, in which that portion of the wedge member which engages said rail means is troughshaped and partially embraces said rail means with play.

8. A form support comprising: outer channel-shaped girder means of substantially U-shaped cross section with the legs of said U-shaped cross section and thereby the legs of said outer girder means extending downwardly so that said outer girder means are open at the bottom portion thereof, said outer girder means also including struts, means connected to the lower ends of the legs of said outer girder means and forming the lower chords thereof, inner girder means telescopically displaceable in said outer girder means and removable therefrom through said open bottom portion of said outer girder means, locking means for interlocking said outer and inner girder means in any desired relative longitudinal position thereof, said locking means including a first locking member in form of a wedge member movably supported by said inner girder means, said locking means also including a second locking member in form of a bridge member bridging the lower ends of the legs of said outer girder means and having a surface portion for locking engagement with said wedge member, said bridge member being movable selectively into said bridging position for preventing the removal of said inner girder means through the open bottom portion of said outer girder means or into an open position for allowing the removal of the inner girder means through the open bottom portion of said outer girder means, said bridge member having one of its end portions arranged to partially embrace one of said lower chords when said bridge member is in its closing position, the other end of said bridge member being provided with a first longitudinal slot extending transverse to and from side to side of said bridge member, one of said lower chords extending through said first slot and pivotally non-detachably supporting said bridge member, said other end of said bridge member also having a second longitudinal slot therethrough extending from the top to the bottom of said bridge member and through said first slot, and wedge means non-detachably connected to said outer girder and movable into and through said second slot for engaging one side of said last mentioned chord and forcing a wall portion of said first slot against the opposite side of said last mentioned chord to thereby firmly lock said bridge member in its respective position.

9. A form support according to claim 8, in which said wedge means has fixedly connected thereto a sleeve slidably mounted on one of said struts.

10. A form support comprising: outer channel-shaped girder means of substantially U-shaped cross section with the legs of said U-shaped cross section and thereby the legs of said outer girder means extending downwardly so that said outer girder means are open at the bottom portion thereof, inner girder means telescopically displaceable in said outer girder means and removable therefrom through said open bottom portion of said outer girder means, and locking means for interlocking said outer and inner girder means in any desired relative position thereof, said locking means including a first locking member in form of a wedge member and also a second locking member in form of a bridge member bridging the lower ends of the legs of said outer girder means and having a surface portion for engagement with said wedge member, said bridge member and said wedge member being non-detachably but movably connected to one of said girder means.

11. A form support comprising: outer channel-shaped girder means for substantially U-shaped cross section with the legs of said U-shaped cross section and thereby the legs of said outer girder means extending downwardly so that said outer girder means are open at the bottom portion thereof, inner girder means telescopically displaceable in said outer girder means and removable therefrom through said open bottom portion of said outer girder means, and locking means for interlocking said outer and inner girder means in any desired relative longitudinal position thereof, said locking means including a first locking member in form of a wedge member carried by said inner girder means, said locking means also including a second locking member in form of a bridge member bridging the lower ends of the legs of said outer girder means and having a surface portion for cooperation with said first locking member upon relative movement of said member longitudinal of said girder means, said bridge member being movable selectively into bridging position for preventing the removal of said inner girder means through the open bottom portion of said outer girder means or into an open position for allowing the removal of the inner girder means through the open bottom portion of said outer girder means, at least one of said locking members being non-detachably connected to one of said girder means, the lower portion of the inner girder means tapering toward the bottom portion thereof.

12. A form support comprising: outer channel-shaped girder means of substantially U-shaped cross section with the legs of said U-shaped cross section and thereby the legs of said outer girder means extending downwardly so that said outer girder means are open at the bottom portion thereof, inner girder means telescopically displaceable in said outer girder means and removable therefrom through said open bottom portion of said outer girder means, and locking means for interlocking said outer and inner girder means in any desired relative longitudinal position thereof, said locking means including a first locking member in form of a wedge member carried by said inner girder means, said locking means also including a second locking member in form of a bridge member 13 bridging the lower ends of the legs of said outer girder means and having a surface portion for cooperation with said first locking member upon relative movement of said member longitudinal of said girder means, said bridge member being movable selectively into bridging position for preventing the removal of said inner girder means through the open bottom portion of said outer girder means or into an open position for allowing the removal of the inner girder means, at least one of said locking members being non-detachably connected to one of said girder means, the outer portion of said outer girder means being at least partly wedge-shaped in cross section.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Reinhard Apr. 4, Lusum May 20,

FOREIGN PATENTS 

